An Amazon delivery driver was arrested after allegedly attacking a receptionist inside a Lakewood dental office Monday afternoon, prompting patients and staff to tackle him and hold him down until police arrived, authorities said.
Lakewood police identified the suspect as Michael Dewey Coleman, 31, of Denver. Officers said they were called to Emerald Dental on West Alameda Parkway just after 3 p.m. for reports of an assault in progress. By the time officers entered the lobby, employees and a patient were restraining a man wearing a delivery vest. Investigators say the receptionist, 21, suffered a broken nose and other injuries. Coleman was booked into the Jefferson County Jail on multiple counts, including sexual assault and assault. Amazon said the driver was working through a third-party contractor and is no longer delivering packages while the investigation continues. The case moved quickly this week, with detectives filing an arrest affidavit and a bond set at $50,000 as prosecutors review charges.
According to an arrest affidavit summarized by police and local broadcasts, the driver entered the office to drop a package, then allegedly grabbed the receptionist’s face with both hands and tried to kiss her. When she pushed him away, witnesses said he lifted her by her clothing, exposing her, and tried to tear her dress. The victim struck him and kicked free, but the man allegedly punched her, breaking her nose. A patient who heard screaming ran from an exam room and tried to pull the assailant off; a male hygienist joined the struggle. Together they tackled the man, who hit the patient in the face before being pinned to the floor. Officers said the suspect appeared disoriented at first and made confused statements about being in another state.
Police say the woman’s injuries included a broken nose and two black eyes, and detectives noted markings consistent with strangulation. Inside the office, officers documented blood on the reception area and collected damaged items listed in reports as criminal mischief. The patient and hygienist gave statements describing the end of the attack and the takedown. The clinic owner, Stephanie Paswaters, said she heard escalating screams — “sounded like bloody murder,” she said — and closed the practice for several days to give staff and patients time to recover. Investigators said the suspect regained his bearings after initial confusion and acknowledged he knew where he was.
Records show Coleman faces counts of sexual assault, unlawful sexual contact, second-degree assault, third-degree assault, two counts of criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and harassment. Jail logs list a $50,000 bond, with a first court appearance set for Dec. 22. Police have not released the full narrative from the affidavit but said the preliminary evidence includes witness accounts, injuries documented by medics and photos from inside the lobby. Officials said there is no indication anyone else was involved. Detectives are checking for any prior incidents tied to the suspect’s delivery routes; as of Friday, none had been publicly identified.
Amazon said it is cooperating with the investigation and that the driver was working via an independent service provider. The company said the individual is no longer delivering packages to its customers. CBS and ABC affiliates in Denver reported that a background search turned up no Colorado criminal history for Coleman. The dental trade press noted a flurry of recent safety concerns in clinics nationwide, though local police said incidents like this remain uncommon. The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office will make final charging decisions after reviewing police reports and medical documentation from the victim’s treatment.
Lakewood police said officers were dispatched at 3:08 p.m. and arrived within minutes, finding two employees and a patient holding the suspect on the floor near the front desk. The victim told officers the attack began without warning after she attempted to accept the delivery. According to police, she blocked her face with her hands while the suspect tried to kiss her, then fought back as he allegedly grabbed her clothing. Medics treated her at the scene before she sought additional care. The patient who intervened reported bruising and a sore jaw after being hit; he declined transport.
Court records will determine the schedule in the coming days. Coleman is expected to appear in Jefferson County Court on Monday, Dec. 22, for advisement. If prosecutors proceed on the listed counts, a filing of formal charges would follow at a later appearance, typically within a week. Defense counsel had not been listed as of Friday afternoon. Police said any additional counts could be added if further forensic review supports allegations of strangulation or if property damage totals meet higher thresholds. The clinic’s management said reopening plans depend on staff readiness and facility repairs.
Neighbors who stopped by the strip center Tuesday described squad cars lined along West Alameda Parkway and a busy lobby clearing onto the sidewalk as officers moved in. A dental assistant who asked not to be named said the team “just reacted” when screams grew louder from the front. “Our patient jumped up first,” she said, crediting him with buying time for others to help. Paswaters said she spent the next day checking on staff and patients who witnessed the aftermath. “People were shaken,” she said. “We’ll focus on healing and support.” The patient who helped declined interviews beyond a short statement relayed through the clinic thanking first responders.
As of Friday evening, the receptionist’s condition was listed as stable, and investigators said no broader public safety threat has been identified. The case remains active, with the next milestone expected at Monday’s initial court hearing in Jefferson County.
Author note: Last updated December 19, 2025.